Paper matchbook assembly



I Umted States Patent 1 1 3,53

[72] Inventors Jui-Chlng Liu [56] References Cited Tflwi; H CK UNITED STATES PATENTS ma 2,012,781 8/1935 Young 206/29 [Zl] Appl. No. 751,302

2,032,661 3/1936 Linker... 206/29 [22] Filed Aug. 8, 1968 2,124,815 7/1938 Dietmann 206/29 [451 (231970 2 130 273 9/1938 G 206/29 73] Assignee Lin-Huey Chang and Ya-Ya Hung reenman l T i China 1,683,651 9/1928 Bovard 206/34UX 1,907,313 5/1933 Arana 206/34X 2,303,287 11/1942 Lang 206/29 Primary ExaminerGeorge E. Lowrance 5 PAPER MATCHBOOK ASSEMBLY Att0rneyLane, Aitken, Dunner and ZlBl'llS 1 Claim, 2 Drawing Figs. [52] US. Cl 206/29, ABSTRACT: A matchbook assembly having a cover forming 206/34 packets of matchsticks, each of which is provided with a [5]] Int. Cl separate igniting means to insure proper ignition of a match A24g27/20 when it is struck by being withdrawn from the packet. The [50] Field of Search 206/29. packets are permanently closed to prevent accidental ignition of the unused matches as a match is being lit.

Patented 0t.27, 1970 3 3,536,188

INVENTOR Jul-CHANG LIU 8:

TENG. CHAN a Am PAPER MATCHBOOK ASSEMBLY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to matchbooks and more particularly to an improved matchbook wherein each match is lit on a separate igniter strip as it is withdrawn from the matchbook.

In conventional book type paper matches, a plurality of rows of matchsticks are stapled together at their lower ends within a cardboard folder. The end of the folder to which the matches are stapled includes an igniter strip formed of an abrasive chemical upon which a match is struck when it is lit. The other end of the folder is folded around the matches and fit under the abrasive strip to form a cover.

With this type of matchbook, a matchstick is torn from one of the rows of matches and the tip of the match is struck on the abrasive strip to light it. As a safety measure, it is necessary that the cover be closed before the match is struck.

One disadvantage of this type of matchbook is that the abrasive strip must be used again and again until the whole book of matches is used. As the surface of the strip is worn away, it becomes increasingly difficult to light one of the matches and often the match must be struck several times before it is lit, if at all.

Another disadvantage with this type of matchbook is that it constitutes a safety hazard when the cover is not closed before the match is struck, because resulting sparks will often ignite the remainder of the matches within the book.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION The present invention relates to an improved type of matchbook assembly which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. The matchbook assembly contemplates provid ing an unused portion of an igniter strip for each match to insure lighting of the match as it is pulled from the matchbook. The invention also contemplates maintaining the matchtips completely enclosed within the matchbook cover until each match is used thereby eliminating exposure of the matches to sparks which might cause accidental lighting and preventing damage due to moisture.

Among the objects of the present invention are the provision of a matchbook assembly having an improved igniting means which insures ignition of a match upon the igniter strip, the provision of a matchbook assembly having a separate igniting means for each matchstick, and the provision of a matchbook assembly wherein accidental ignition of the unused matches by the striking of another match is minimized by maintaining the unused matches covered until they are used.

Other objects and further applicability of the present invention will become more apparent when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a plan view ofa detail of FIG. 1.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in the drawings, the improved paper matchbook assembly 10 is made of a cardboard strip 12 the ends of which are folded over so as to form two packets 14 of matches. The strip 12 is bent in the portion 16 which acts as a hinge so that the packets l4 overlie each other in the shape of a book. Each packet 14 contains a plurality of matchsticks 18, which are cut in a paper board 20 fastened to the folder 12 by staples 22. Spacers 24 are provided between the matchsticks 18 by the the lower end of each matchstick 18 which secures them to the paper board 20 to retain them in place. The connectors 26 are formed by two misaligned cuts in the matchstick profile as shown in FIG. 2. The portion of the board 20 surrounding the lower ends 28 of the matchsticks is cut away so that the ends 28 extend beyond the edge of the remainder of the paper board 20 and out of the packet 14. Thus a user can grasp the end 28 of a matchstick 18 for the purpose of withdrawing it from the packet 14.

The inner portion of the folded over ends of the strip 12 forming each packet 14 are provided with an igniter band 30 made of an abrasive chemical material suitable for igniting the phosphor heads 32 formed on the ends of the matchsticks 18 when the heads are rubbed across the band 30. A second igniter band 34 of the same material as the band 30 is also provided mounted on the strip 12 inside the packet 14 opposite the first igniter band 30 so as to sandwich the matchsticks 18 and the board 20 between them.

The withdrawing of a matchstick 18 from one of the packets 14 by grasping its exposed end 28 and pulling outwardly, tears the connector 26 and causes the matchhead 32 to rub over both the igniter band 30 and 34 causing simultaneous abrasion of both sides of the matchhead 32, thus insuring ignition. Since each of the matchsticks 18 are spaced from each other, only one portion of each of the igniter bands 30 and 34 is available to ignite an individual matchstick 18. Consequently, each matchstick is provided with an unused section of the igniter bands 30 and 34 to facilitate ignition of the match.

Because each packet 14 is an integral package which is never opened, the unused matchheads 32 are covered during the time a matchstick 18 is struck, and there is no chance of the remainder of the matchsticks being accidentally ignited.

It will be appreciated that the above description of the embodiments are illustrative only and numerous modifications and variations may be made in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.

We claim:

I. A paper matchbook assembly comprising a paper board sheet having a plurality of matchsticks formed therein by cuts through said paper board sheet so that the heads of said matchsticks are surrounded by said paper board sheet and portions of said paper board sheet separate said heads of said matchsticks and part of the stick portion of said matchsticks, a portion of said paper board sheet being cut away leaving the ends of said stick portions opposite said heads apart from said paper board sheet and extending away from said paper board sheet, one side of the stick portion of each of said sticks being defined in said paper board sheet by misaligned, parallel, overlapping cuts through said paper board sheet to thereby provide a thin strip of paper board interconnecting said matchsticks with the remainder of said paper board sheet, a cover forming an enclosure enclosing at least a portion of said paper board sheet containing said heads of said matchsticks, an ignitor band mounted on said cover in a manner so that as each of said matchsticks is withdrawn from said cover by pulling such matchstick by the end opposite the head of such matchstick, the head of such matchstick rubs against said ignitor band, each matchstick rubbing against a different portion of said ignitor band upon being withdrawn from said cover, said ignitor band being of a material to ignite said matchheads when rubbed thereby. 

